Jamie's Encore
Chapter 4 Family old, family new
NYC Caitlin's Home 10:00 Saturday
Jamie knocked gently on the door; Caitlin soon appeared, wearing a soft gingham dress with a half apron and carrying a spatula. She was obviously putting the finishing touches on their brunch. She was expecting him at 10 o'clock, and he was right on time.
He wrapped her up in a warm embrace and gave her a stirring kiss on the lips.
"Good morning, beautiful!" He greeted her.
"Good morning, handsome!" She came back with.
He had a brown paper bag which he carried to the kitchen. "I brought some wine . . . for me, of course. A white Zinfandel, good for this time of day. And a Cabernet, good for dinner time. I'll just leave the Cabernet n the cupboard, all right?"
"Sure," she said, with a rather flat voice. She hoped he didn't notice.
He did, but said nothing.
She spoke up, "Can you set the table, babe? Brunch will be ready in 5."
"I'm on it," he gave her waist a squeeze as he passed her by. She seemed a little stiff, not as pliant as expected. He tensed inwardly; was something wrong?
"You ok, sweetheart?" He asked.
"Yeah, let's eat, then talk. Ok?"
"Sure. You need help with the food?"
"Nope. I've got it," she brought 2 serving dishes to the able, then went back for juice for herself. Jamie had already poured his wine.
Jamie offered the traditional blessing, then asked her.
"You, ok? You seem a little tense this morning. What's up?"
"Well . . . Jamie, can we have a meal in my home without alcohol? I mean . . . now that I've shared my experience. Ah, I prefer . . . um, I'm sorry. Forget it." She looks down at her plate, a tear starts to trickle down her cheek.
Jamie gets a sinking feeling in his gut. "I thought that since, you know, the other time we had dinner here."
"I remember . . . but now we have started to talk about more serious, long-term things. I'm sorry, I should have spoken up before this. It's just that I have made a vow to myself that my home would be alcohol free. I know I should have made that clear sooner. I'm sorry." She is crying now.
Jamie is stunned; what to do, what to say.
"I'm sorry." He gets up, takes the bottle of Cabernet and the bag. He puts the bottle in the bag and takes it out to his car. He comes back in and sits down. Now what?
They are both idly pushing the food around on their plates. This was a bad way to start the weekend, they have a big decision to make. Hopefully to make in concert. Is this a deal breaker. Jamie wants to know, needs to know; how to start that conversation?
"Caitlin, sweetheart . . . you know how I feel about you. Is-
"Is this a deal breaker? Is that what you want to know, Jamie?"
"Yeah, I guess so?"
"Well, like I said, I made that vow to myself towards the end of my year from hell. It really helped pull me out of that deep, dark pit. It enabled me to heed the encouragement I was getting, and pursue a chance with Julliard. I have a hard time letting go of that vow. Let me be totally honest with you, Jamie. Can you live with that, like that?"
Jamie froze; he knew that this was a moment of truth. His family had always had a glass of wine with their meal; and a glass or two of spirits in the evening. Could he give that up. Was Caitlin worth it? He knew that trying to talk her out of it, out of her vow, would probably end badly. It would seem quite disrespectful. And respect for her had been his calling card all along. How would she react to his doing a seeming role reversal? Did he want to chance that? SHIT!
"Jamie?"
"I guess I should have seen this coming. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have just assumed, and brought that Cabernet to leave here. We need to have this talk, especially with the decision looming before us."
"That doesn't answer my question, Jamie. I don't mean to be rude, I really don't. But this is important to me. I hope you understand. I do love you; I really do!"
Something in Jamie snaps. All the Saturdays at Fort Tyron Park flash before his eyes. The rainy day they spent in the Cloisters, the ceramic piano pins, the cups of coffee, the thrill of seeing her waiting for him, her glorious smile, her playing her piano just for him, her cooking dinner just for him, her response to his brash ambush after her class. Her LOVE meant more to him than he even knew – until now!
He reached for her hand, she didn't withdraw, he entwined their fingers and looked straight into her gorgeous green eyes . . . "YES, my love, I can live like that, I want to live like that – with you!"
Now Caitlin was sobbing; her dream was coming true. The one man she thought, hoped was safe . . . really was safe after all!
Jamie got up, walked to her side and pulled her to her feet. She fell into his arms. They shuffled to the stereo, clicked the radio on. It was the classical station; he knew it would be. Even though it wasn't good dance music, he led her in a slow sway. They 'dance' for a long time, saying nothing. Finally-
"Our food is cold." She whispers.
"Can you heat it up?" He asks.
"Of course."
"I'll be right back," he grabs the bottle of white Zinfandel to take to his car.
She stops him, "Leave it for today, babe."
"No, sweetheart. I want t start right now." He takes the bottle to his car and puts it in the bag. Returning, he sits back down.
She brings the heated-up plates to the table and they begin to eat, again.
"Do we still need that long discussion," Jamie asks, with a wink.
"Seems to me we've decided. You?" She smiles.
"I'm in; San Diego for me!" He declares.
"Then I'm ready for Sunday dinner!" She announces.
"Seriously?" He cocks his head.
"Seriously." She affirms.
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SUNDAY MASS & DINNER
Caitlin and Jamie attend Mass with the family, then drive to the family home for dinner. Jamie had warned his dad and grandpa that both of them would be there, so the table would be set properly.
They walk in the front door and sit down on the couch in the LR. Jamie gets a couple of photo albums and starts to show her family pictures. One by one the family circulate through and say hello. This isn't Caitlin's first time, so everyone knows who she is. They do wonder, however; they were not expecting this. Is there a forthcoming announcement? Nobody knows. Noone is talking.
After gathering and sitting down, Jack says the traditional grace. After food is passed and plates are full, Frank opens the conversation.
"Welcome to our home Caitlin. It's nice to have you with us again."
"Thank you, I'm glad to be with you all again."
"Jamie, anything new with you?" Pops asks.
Jamie finishes chewing his bite of food, then speaks. "Yes, grandpa, I do have some news. Tomorrow I am going to inform the San Diego PD . . . that I will be accepting their offered position of Lieutenant, to head up a new MCD, or Major Crimes Division. Effective as soon as I can properly leave the NYPD."
He sits back and waits.
It feels like all the oxygen has been sucked out of the room. Caitlin takes his hand under the table and squeezes.
"No, you can't be serious," Erin pleads. She places one hand over her heart and looks like she will cry at any moment.
"Kid, what are you thinking," Danny blurts out.
"I'm thinking that this is an opportunity that never will come my way here with the NYPD! Sorry to say." Jamie says softly.
The young kids are shocked. Their uncle Jamie is moving away. Nicky starts to cry softly.
Frank begins to realize that there may be a second part to this news. He looks at Caitlin, "And you my dear. Any news?"
"Yes, sir. I am accepting a Pianist in Residence position with the San Diego Symphony. Starting after this next term at Julliard. In the meantime, I will be practicing hard to prepare for the July 12 concert. With the symphony."
"You will be performing," Pops asks.
"Yes, they had the scheduled performer back out. That is what started the ball rolling, at least for me. Jamie's buddy Sencer got things headed my way! Lucky for me."
"Well, congratulations. I'd like to come out and hear you play," Pops declares.
"If you are serious, I can see about getting tickets."
"Absolutely, I'm serious." Pops beams.
Caitlin takes out her phone and makes note of this.
"No phones at the table," Sean points out.
"Sorry," she mutters.
Jamie glares at his nephew, but says nothing.
"Where do you think you'll live," Linda inquires.
"That's to be determined. We have been offered a condo arrangement on Coronado Island." Jamie acknowledges.
"We?" Erin raises an eyebrow.
"That's something under discussion," Jamie voices.
Caitlin blushes.
Erin and Danny notice.
"I will keep the family updated with what you need to know. Have no fear." Jamie's last word.
"We need ALL," Danny declares.
"Sorry, no can do," Jamie's absolute last word.
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TBC